Best Cornet: James Fountain (Zone One Brass) Best Trombone Section: Wantage Best Euphonium: John Storey (Sandhurst) Best Horn: Mitchell Spence (East London Brass)
London and SCSunday 22, 19:56:53
Championship Section:
11. Sandhurst Silver (Joshua Ruck)
A performance of bold confidences rounded off the weekend in Stevenage — and the whole top section 'Elgar-Fest' around the country.
It was a nice one to end too — a microcosm of all that has been good, uneven, over-cooked and under-done, subtle and bleeding obvious rolled into one.
At times it had a thrilling waspishness, contrasted with a slightly over-egged sense of pathos that wore not only its heart, but lungs and other accompanying viscera on its sleeve.
There was something about it though — thanks to the MD drawing deep into the score for detail and effect. Not everything came off and it all got a little stilted in flow, but euph displayed his class and shimmering flugel added lovely touches.
The final build edged in intensity to a real old tub thumper close that made its presence felt.
Iwan Fox
London and SCSunday 22, 19:34:01
Championship Section:
10. Kidlington Concert Brass (Jonathan Pippen)
A colourful account bubbling with energy and a touch of mischief that certainly gave the judges something different to compare to others today.
Don't know if it all quite worked, but it had verve and ensemble confidence, even if there were some noticeable intonation issues and occasions when exposed lines seemed fragile.
The upbeat stuff suited better — played with brio, although it was less settled in the more reflective interludes. The contrasts required were there all right — although a little mixed in effectiveness and refinement.
The build to a grand finale was nicely handled to bring to a close an inquisitive interpretation of the score by the MD that not for a single bar was less than engaging.
Iwan Fox
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London and SCSunday 22, 19:15:51
Championship Section:
9. Regent Brass (Alan Duguid)
A lovely take on the score from the MD this — informed, insightful and always interesting without once indulging in needless pathos or pointless speed.
The execution was uneven in the ensemble and solo lines, but the musical intent was never abandoned for cheap hits — the little bon-mots of wit were a delight. Lost its tethering hooks of cohesion and balance as tiredness crept in, but never its innate musicality.
The final lyrical section was tenderly portrayed and the build to the finale neatly notched up intensity. When it got there it was running on fumes, but they had put so much into a spirited effort.
Iwan Fox
London and SCSunday 22, 18:55:03
Championship Section:
8. Wantage (Chris King)
What a neatly portrayed and projected account this was — clipped like an Edwardian privet hedge into shape by the MD.
Controlled dynamics and pacing added to the musical landscape created — warm and rich in tonality, secure in ensemble and topped by some lovely solo contributions.
It got a little bar-line vertical in places when a touch of malleability may have given the music a little more suppleness, but the confidence on show spoke of informed preparation and understanding.
The detailed tailoring added to the overall stylistic musicality that never over-lingered in the tender moments or over-played its hands when pace was required. Just the odd moment of fragility, but it didn't harm things.
A super build to the finale which had a chorale feel of Jam and Jerusalem with a spiky coda brought a fine account to the most persuasive of conclusions. In the mix for the Albert Hall that.
Iwan Fox
London and SCSunday 22, 18:32:18
Championship Section:
7. Zone One Brass (John Wilson)
Well now. That may well have come as a surprise to those who perhaps felt they were going to hear a take on this Elgarian score that was a mix of Leonard Bernstein meets Jaqueline du Pre.
It was anything but. Nothing revelatory, contentious, or overtly orchestrally landscaped. Instead it was very straight forward — a light touch interpretation that made absolute musical sense.
The playing veered from the exceptional (principal cornet) and exuberant to the slightly wayward and messy.
There were telling moments of absolute stunning nous direct from the MD though — sublime little pulls of tempo and shaping that belonged in a different sphere of musical excellence.
The odd blemish apart, the command of meaningful musicality shone — the build to the finale calibrated beautifully, the end packed to the gunnels with a noble pomp to accompany the never setting sun on the old British Empire.
Super stuff.
Iwan Fox
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London and SCSunday 22, 18:22:24
2026 Champions: Betteshanger Colliery
Winners: Betteshanger Colliery
Second Place: Epping Forest
Third Place: Tadley Concert Brass
Result:
Third Section:
Adjudicators: Andrea Price; Steven Mead Test Piece: Three Haworth Impressions (Gordon Langford)
Best Soprano: Andrew Bannister (EverReady) Best Principal Cornet: Tina Mortimer (EverReady) Best Baritone: Fiona Casewell (EverReady) Best Euphonium: Andrew Hedley (EverReady) Best Trombone: Danny Brooks (City of Hull) Best Bass Section: EverReady Best Percussion: EverReady
London and SCSunday 22, 17:46:45
Championship Section:
6. Amersham (Paul Fisher)
An Elgarian portrait elegantly framed and coloured without recourse to the sharp edges or primary colourings this — even if at time there were a few nasty little splinters and misplaced splashes along the way.
The dynamic tailoring was neatly observed (despite a few enthusiastic perc entries), the pacing just the right side of bubbly in the quicker sections. The contrasts in the lyrical interludes were so well observed too — subtle little pushes and pulls given the phrasing a malleable quality.
The MD kept control of things admirably, the players responding to his neat stylistic nudges — from bel canto euph to sweet toned flugel and classiest of troms. The desire to give the music space yet still retain flow was marked — and so good to hear.
The calibrated build to the finale was notched up in intensity, despite just a hint of tiredness and lack of cohesive ensemble balance. The finale had a real old walrus moustached Elgar pomp and circumstance to round off such an engaging account.
Iwan Fox
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London and SCSunday 22, 17:26:27
Championship Section:
5. Haverhill Silver (Paul Filby)
Martin Ellerby's test-piece has certainly tested top section credentials here today — and this was the latest performance that found it a stern challenge.
No doubting the enthusiasm for the task by the players, but the balance of the ensemble was so lacking in cohesion at times. There was some pretty self-indulgent individualism shown.
It was a pity as the MDs lucid interpretation always maintained interest and made sense, but it never had a chance to substantiate itself.
The final interlude showed just how good the soloists and ensemble could gel, but the build to the finale was overcooked dynamically to such an extent that all nobility was lost when it came to show the Elgarian poise to close.
April 16 • Waterbeach Brass are seeking a talented and confident solo (tutti) cornet player to join our friendly and ambitious band. We offer a welcoming and social environment with a diverse and challenging musical repertoire playing at regular concerts and contests
April 15 • With the dust settling after the areas we are looking for Bb BASS & PERCUSSION players to join us as we look to consolidate as a 1st Section Band.. Varied but realistic diary for the coming year and possible foreign trip in 2027. Rehearsals on a Wednesday
April 15 • We are a welcoming 4th section band with a vacancy for a kit player. Our calendar is filling up with various contests and engagements to fulfil through the year.
